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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. For many years, what language have students not been particularly interested in learning?

2. What does Victor, the son of Liza Wind, fantasize about to escape the boredom of his everyday life at school?

3. In Chapter 5, what is the actual name that the host of the party goes by?

4. At Pnin's housewarming party, what guest tells him she has become engaged?

5. How old are most of the men attending the party in Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are a few examples of what the students at Waindell College do at the beginning of every year?

2. Why is Pnin somewhat sad after visiting with Betty Bliss?

3. Who is Al Cook's wife and why do they not have children?

4. Who is the host of the party at the cabin in Chapter 5?

5. What do Roza Shpolyanski and Pnin talk about at the party in Chapter 5?

6. Where is Pnin living in Chapter 6 and how does he feel about it?

7. What does Hagen tell Pnin before he leaves the party?

8. How do Dr. Wind and Liza feel about their son?

9. What happens to Pnin while traveling to the cabin in Chapter 5?

10. Who are some of the people that Pnin invites to his housewarming party in Chapter 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "Pnin", one of the writing styles that the author uses is his choice of narrator. Explore the different styles of narrators for fiction writing, particularly analyzing the third-person narratives used in "Pnin". How important is the narrator to the story? What are the different types of narrators? Why does the particular type of narrator that Vladimir Nabokov chose for "Pnin" such a good choice? When does the narrator reveal himself to the reader? What is so unique about this type of narrator? How?

Essay Topic 2

Pnin tells many stories throughout the action of the main story. Explore the author's use of the literary device story-within-a-story in the novel "Pnin".

Part 1) Is the author using stories-within-a-story to parody views of the world?

Part 2) Is the author using stories-within-a-story to give background about particular characters or events?

Part 3) How is this literary device effective in the novel "Pnin"?

Essay Topic 3

One of the prevailing themes in "Pnin" is the life of an immigrant. Explore the theme of Pnin's life as an immigrant and the prejudices that he encounters.

Part 1) What does being an immigrant mean?

Part 2) What are some examples of prejudices in the novel?

Part 3) Is Pnin aware of the prejudices he encounters?

(see the answer keys)

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